Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Vol. 10, No. 22
pelika O Observer
Opelika, Alabama
“By local people, for local people.”
Adventure Awaits Where convenience and inconvenience intersect
Opelika Middle School student stars in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ film
Michelle Key/ Opelika Observer
By Michelle Key & Morgan Bryce The BigHouse Foundation held their 9th Annual BigHouse Support Dinner last Thursday night to promote and
she and her husband, Blake were called to start the organization while they were in college. Working primarily with foster families, she explained that the BHF connects them to See Bighouse, page A3
raise awareness about the impact of the organization both locally and statewide. Micah Melnick, BHF's executive director and founder, addressed the crowd and shared how
Leigh Krehling: The Heart of a Volunteer
Submitted to the Opelika Observer
By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Reflecting on his role in Marvel’s “Black Panther”, which has netted more than $800 million worldwide, Opelika Middle School’s
Butcher Paper BBQ serves up food with love, eclectic style
Ashton Tyler said he knew from the beginning that the film had the potential to be a blockbuster. “I knew it was going to be huge ... it’s just an amazing film,” Tyler said. See Panther page A3
Elizabeth Burton to run for LCC District 5 seat
Robert Noles/ Opelika Observer Shawn Kirkpatrick/Opelika Observer
By Shawn Kirkpatrick Opelika Observer Working for the city of Opelika isn’t just ‘punching the time clock’ for Community Relations Officer Leigh Krehling. It’s a job she loves, giving back to her community, and she does it with the heart of a volunteer. Krehling was just awarded Volunteer of the Year by the United Way See Krehling, page A3
By Kendyl Hollingsworth For the Opelika Observer Opelika native Mark Coxwell, the owner and chef behind Butcher Paper BBQ, has sought to bring a modern taste to traditional-style barbecue in Opelika since the summer of 2016. After working for a short time at Chuck’s Bar-B-Que 13 years ago, Coxwell spent time living in Nashville and Georgia but said he always had an idea in the back of his mind for something more. It was not until
he moved back to Opelika that he decided to tackle the process of bringing his idea to fruition. “It’s scary to get started,” Coxwell said. “My goal was to start it and start as close to debt-free as possible. I’ve been pretty good about it … I feel like there’s been a good response so far.” Butcher Paper BBQ began as a catering company in June 2016, and Coxwell ran the business part time. In May 2017, he decided to move his operations to 128 Columbus Parkway. See BBQ, page A11
Index OPINION.................................A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY........A12 SPORTS...................................B1
RELIGION.................................B3 COMMUNITY.............................B8 ENTERTAINMENT.....................B12
Special to the Opelika Observer Lifelong Lee County resident Elizabeth Burton has announced that she will run for the open Lee County Commission District 5 seat, which was currently held by John Andrew Harris. Harris joins Jeremy Gray, Patsy Jones and Ronnie Reed in running for the District 83 seat held by the late State Rep. George “Tootie” Bandy, a See Burton, page B4
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